ING EDICIONS X GRAPAT
FROM THE ORIGINAL BOOK BY ELSA BESKOW TO “ELS NINS DEL BOSC”
For the Grapat family, reading is not just a habit but a way of life.
There isn’t a single cosy day on the sofa when each of us—Jordi, our two children Lola and Tomàs, and myself—don’t have a book in hand.
That said, in this space that means so much to our family, there has always been one book, in particular, that has warmed us on the coldest days or given us a moment of calm to reflect: Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow. It’s been published in our language, Catalan, by ING Edicions.
This publisher has been a dear friend of ours ever since we first connected through this story. The synergy between our family and their ideals was a perfect match—there was no way that a Waldorf teacher, an editor, and two toy-makers wouldn’t end up getting along!
The bond we share with the story of this book is truly special. During our children’s early childhood, almost like a ritual, there were certain moments of the day— when the sun began to set, and the house cooled down,— in which Elsa Beskow’s story, with its slow and gentle rhythm, could make us completely empathize with the feeling of home, family, and their connection to nature.
Two things from Children of the Forest captivate us in particular. First, the portrayal of the archetypal and structured family, contrasted with its magical representation—no one is entirely human, and their bond with nature elevates what we would understand as “traditional values” to a realm full of sensitivity and love for the forest and everything it contains. And the second thing is how the book conveys something extremely valuable to us: the journey through the seasons, avoiding the usual clichés that represent them. The story gently conveys the values of the passage of time, focusing not only on the material aspects but exploring their soul.
This book is so important to us that, back in 2015, when our project was just beginning its journey, we considered naming the brand “Els Nins del Bosc”, directly referencing its title while adding a personal touch with the word nins. However, we eventually decided against it because it felt too long. In the end, we chose Grapat, a name we believe represents us perfectly. In Catalan, Grapat means “a handful of things,” which connects beautifully to the sets of pieces we create, as well as to the sense of touch and craftsmanship. Plus, we thought it would be much, much easier for everyone to pronounce!
Even so, we couldn’t let go of the idea of somehow translating all the feelings this story evokes into something tangible with our toys. That’s how, in 2016, we created the play material that pays homage to Elsa Beskow’s story and named it Nins del Bosc. Many years have passed since then and, yet, this story still inspires us to keep creating.
So much so that, to celebrate ING Edicions reaching 100k followers on social media, we’ve created a very special set. It revisits the concept of the first Nins del Bosc, expands it with new details and includes the story that inspired it. This limited edition will allow you to experience Children of the Forest from a fresh perspective by imagining new Small Worlds, creating your own adventures and connecting, not only to the same feelings this story awakened in us but also to the enduring legacy of Elsa Beskow.
If you want to get notified on how you can get this special edition, fill out this form!
If you want the chance to receive these pieces along with the storybook, don’t forget to sign up and keep an eye on your email! ING Edicions will keep you informed until the launch day, December 20th.
2024
